Fabric edge finishing machines

ABSTRACT

Mechanism is provided for enabling an overedging or other edgetreating machines automatically to operate progressively about the periphery of successive flexible work pieces, especially those of fabric having margin configuration including portions of constant convex curvature. Several improvements and refinements relating, for instance and without limitation, to automatic corner turning, to marginal label securement in the course of each operating cycle, so called sewing-off near the end of the cycle, &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;kickout&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; of the work piece from the operating zone, and associated thread cutoff, all contribute towards increasing productivity and relieving burden on an operator to the extent that the operator may simultaneously attend more than one machine.

United States Patent [191 Fuller, Jr. et al.

[451 Aug. 14, 1973 FABRIC EDGE FINISHING MACHINES [75] Inventors: George A. Fuller, Jr., Wenham;

Wilfred Louis Langevin, Beverly; Geoffrey C. Neiley, Jr., North Reading; Ole B. R. Pearson, Magnolia, all of Mass.

[73] Assignee: USM Corporation, Boston, Mass.

[22] Filed: Apr. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 244,217

[52] US. Cl 1l2/12l.l2, 112/121.29, 112/153 [51] Int. Cl. D05b 27/14 [58] Field of Search 112/2, 27, 47, 102,

10/1969 Noiles Ill/121.12 3,598,070

8/1971 Rosenberg 112 [5 7] ABSTRACT Mechanism is provided for enabling an overedging or other edge-treating machines automatically to operate progressively about the periphery of successive flexible work pieces, especially those of fabric having margin configuration including portions of constant convex curvature. Several improvements and refinements relating, for instance and without limitation, to automatic corner turning, to marginal label securement in the course of each operating cycle, so called sewing-off near the end of the cycle, kickout of the work piece from the operating zone, and associated thread cutoff, all contribute towards increasing productivity and relieving burden on an operator to the extent that the operator may simultaneously attend more than one machine.

14 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,097

'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 14, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 14, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 14, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,097

7 Sheets-Sheet '7 FABRIC EDGE FINISHING MACHINES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION An application Ser. No. 107,022 filed Jan. 18, 1971 in the names ofCharles J. Kitchener and Paul G. Rumball discloses and claims Automatic Feeding Mechanism for Peripheral Operations. The illustrative embodiment there described is a forerunner of the improved machine disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Face cloths, work towels and wipe cloths, to mention a few of the items which may be processed automatically in the machines ofthe type covered by this and or the copending application above cited require their edges to be uniformly and smoothly formed and secured by stitching or other suitable processing. They are commonly of limp cloth and differ greatly in shape, size, and other physical characteristics. Very often they have generally rectangular perimetcrs comprised of four rectilinear and four convexly curved or corner" marginal portions.

It is found that edge finishing machines such as overedgers can operate at high speed, i.e., with large numbers of stitches per second, and neatly trim when performing straight line operations, but that under manual manipulation turning of corners, even though of fixed radius, is apt to result in considerably diminished output, less uniform quality in the results, and increased defects in work pieces. The cited copending application pertains to work quidance and certain related improvements seeking to more effectively deal with attaining the full output of which the stitcher or like margin processing machine is capable regardless of work piece configuration. To this end the usual rectilinear feed means of an overedging machine, for example, is supplemented in the Kitchener et al disclosure, when negotiating curvature, by work guidance mechanism responsive to the position of an edge of the work ahead of the needle relative to an edge gage. The guidance mechanism includes a work turning member engageable with the work on the bed and rotatable to swing the work and thus substantially maintain its edge gage contact. While in general the Kitchener et al arrangement is advantageous, it is considered highly desirable to refine this with further automatic features and improvements insuring greater industrial output while aiding the operator in handling automatically a wider variety of work pieces with fewer, if any, irregulars being produced.

The former and the present embodiment of the invention enable a more or less conventional machine, such as an overedger, to be used in a fabric handling system more effectively and without significant change in its structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ing mechanism, several interdependent novel features facilitating increased output together with greater capability for dealing with a wider range of flaccid materials.

To the foregoing and other ends an improved guidance control system is provided together with mechanism for automatically terminating the edge finishing operation substantially at the edge locality where it started. A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of an automatic mechanism for severing the overedging thread when the finishing operation is terminated and then ejecting the work from the operating zone. Another feature of the invention pertains to incorporation in an edge finishing machine of a tag or label positioning mechanism whereby an operator, either before or after initially presenting a work piece to the machine, merely places the tag or label in a safe and convenient loading position and the positioning mechanism insures that the tag or label will be accurately secured to the margin of the work piece.

Another feature resides, in a machine of the aforesaid type, in provision of a margin finishing tool, means for sensing approach to the operating tool of a work margin to be given a are processing by the tool, and mechanism responsive to the sensing means for engaging the work substantially at the center of the are curvature and a point spaced therefrom to rotate the work about the center until the tool has operated over the 90 arc and then be disengaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing together with various novel details and combinations of parts will now be more particularly described in connection with an illustrative embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic edge finishing machine wherein work pieces are to be successively operated upon, for instance by an overedge sewing machine of known type;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 1, in inoperative condition and with portions broken away;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of major portions of the machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of portions of the machine including a label or loop applying mechanism shown in FIG. v2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a major portion of the operating instrumentalities shown in FIG. 2 including a work supporting table and holddown plate together with corner turning mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to a portion of FIG. 5 and indicating relationship of a sewing machine needle and the label or loop feed finger mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line .VII-VII of FIG. 6 showing the steps in presentation of a label to the needle operating zone;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view corresponding to a portion of FIG. 5, and showing the edge gages and sewoff means in relation to feed dog mechanism and cor ner turning means;

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating automatic retracting of an edge gage to accommodate corner trimming and guidance;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the sew-off mechanism at termination of operation;

FIG. 11 is a vertical section of a collapsible work turning center shown in FIGS. 2-4;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views in side elevation showing sequentially operation of the automatic work kickout mechanism; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view of thread cutoff mechanism operative after work kickout;

An edge finishing machine generally designated 10 (FIGS. 1-4), which may for instance be an overedging machine of commercially available type, is fixedly mounted on a horizontal plate 12 bolted onto a table 14. Also mounted on the plate 12 is a hollow platform for a flat work supporting table or bed 16 (FIGS. 2-6) disposed with a cut-away portion to accommodate an overedging needle 18 of the machine 10, and usual rectilinear feed dog and presser foot mechanism 20.

A work piece W (FIGS. 8-13) to be edge finished is herein assumed to be generally rectangular sheet material, i.e., to have four straight sides interconnected by four corners to be rounded as is the usual case with a large number of items. It will be understood from what follows that the machine can marginally process sheet material to be provided in part with constant convex curvature margins but not a work piece having a concave portion in its periphery due to the nature of the corner turning mechanism later described. For supporting operating mechanism and controls above the bed 16, a bracket 22 (FIGS. 1-5) is secured on the plate 12 and, by means of a hinge pin 24 (FIGS. 3 and pivotally supports an upper frame 26 whereby a handle 27 can be used, when desired, to tilt the frame 26 and all mechanism associated therewith as will be explained to an out-of-the-way position permitting full access to the sewing machine and its bed 16.

As in the above-referenced Kitchener et al disclosure, an automatic and further improved corner turning mechanism is provided and operative in response to a light sensor 28 signaling work edge interruption or clearance and hence change in margin contour approaching the operating zone of the needle 18 and an adjacent pair of margin trimming shears 30,30 (FIGS. 8-10) conventionally provided with the overedging machine 10. As will next be described the comer turning mechanism includes a work swinging finger 32 movable heightwise into and out of work engaging relation as controlled by the edge sensing means 28 in the manner described in the cited copending application. Unique in the present application, this corner sensing means 28 further recreates a fixed turning center by causing a yieldable rotary clamp 34 (FIGS. 2-4 and 11) simultaneously to engage the work W on the bed substantially at the center of the marginal corner curvature to be trimmed and overedged. This is accomplished while the needle and feed dog mechanism 20 continue operation at regular speed as will now be described.

Parallel with the rectilinear feed line of the dog mechanism 20 is a composite, ordinarily straight-lined edge gage 36-38 comprised of the front or workcontacting ends of a forked horizontally retractable edge sensor 36 (FIGS. 2, 4, and 8) and of a forked, horizontally advanceable sew-off sensor 38. A straight side edge of each work piece W will initially be positioned under the needle 18 and in abutment with this composite edge gage 36-38 prior to starting the stitcher 10 by suitable means such as actuation of a foot switch not shown. The rotary clamp 34 is driven continuously, while a motor 40 (FIG. 3) driving the stitcher 10 is in operation, by means of a motor 41 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) bracketed to the upper frame 26 and having connection by an endless belt 42 with a clutch pulley 44 on a vertical spindle 46 from which the clamp 34 is dependent. A clutch member 48 slidably mounted on the spindle 46 for movement into and out of cooperative engagement with the clutch pulley 44 is normally maintained disengaged by means of a compression spring 50 (FIG. 2). Upon non-interruption (or more accurately, after an adjustable time delay between the sensor cell being covered and uncovered and solenoid action) of light to the sensor 28 as when a corner of the work mar-v gin is approaching the needle 18, a signal is sent to energize a solenoid 52 (FIGS. 2 and 3) bracketed to the frame 26 whereby a solenoid plunger 54 coupled to the spindle 46 and acting against the spring 50 causes the clutch member 48 to descent to axially engage the clutch pulley 44 and thereby lower the clamp 34 while it rotates counterclockwise as viewed from above, this clamp being slidably mounted in an extension 56 (FIGS. 2-4 and 11) coupled to the lower end of the spindle 46. The upper limit of movement of the solenoid plunger 54 is determined by its abutment with a bracket 57 (FIG. 3) secured to the frame 26. As shown in FIG. 1 1, a stem of the clamp 34 is longitudinally slotted to receive a cross pin 58 secured in the extension 56, and a spring 60 nested in the extension urges the clamp downwardly against the work when it is caused by the solenoid 52 to be engaged.

For operating on rectangular work W the effective rotation of the clamp 34 continues for substantially 90, i.e., until a light beam directed from a source on the opposite side of the work to the sensor 28 again is being interrupted by the work margin, when the solenoid 52 is deenergized to declutch and allow raising of the member 48 with the spindle 46. A tension spring 62 (FIG. 3) connecting an arm 64 secured on the spindle 46 with the frame 26 thereupon acts to return a free end of the arm 64 for abutment with a stop 66 secured to the frame 26. While the clamp 34 is serving as turning center, the work swinging finger 32 depending from an end of an arm 68 secured to the extension 56, is frictionally engaging as by means of card cloth a portion of the work accessible through an arcuate slot 70 (FIGS. 5-8) in a work-spreading or upper workconfining plate 72 functioning largely as does the plate designated 30 in the mentioned Kitchener et al application. The work is accordingly swung about the axis of the spindle 46 to enable the convex margin to be finished and to enable connecting straight margins to be similarly processed, all without decrease in operating speed.

To enable the work to be swung counterclockwise (as shown in FIG. 9) the sensor 28 also acts, when the clamp 34 engages the work, to energize a solenoid 74 (FIGS. 5 and 8) connected by links 76,78'to the edge sensor 36 whereby the latter is retracted from possible interference with the original corner margin M to be rounded off. As light to the sensor 28 is reinterrupted a spring (not shown) restores the edge gage to its normal gaging position. Preferably too during each corner turning and for a slightly longer interval at the fourth or final corner, an air stream is directed through a nozzle 79 (FIG. 14) for urging margin material under the presser foot.

The top plate 72 is of low friction material, desirably plexiglass, and is adjustable heightwise in its operating position to accommodate difi'erent thicknesses of work W. For this purpose the plate 72 depends horizontally from a vertical slide 80 (FIGS. 2 and 3) movable heightwise in a guideway formed in the bracket 22 between adjustable limits as next explained. A bracket 82 secured to the slide 80 carries a cylinder 84 (FIG. 3) having a rubber tipped piston 86 arranged, at its upper position, to abut a threaded stop 88. This stop 88 is adjusted heightwise in a lug 90 projecting from the frame 26 by means of a thumb screw 92 an upper edge of which serves as an indicator and may have its position read against a vertical scale 94 affixed to the frame 26. A set screw 96 threaded into the lug 90 engages the stop 88 to lock it in selected heightwise position. It will be accordingly understood that the arrangement is such that as soon as the stitcher is started fluid pressure is admitted to the cylinder 84 causing its piston 86 to abut the stop 88 whereupon the cylinder 84 is caused to descend, lowering the slide 80 and hence the plate 72 properly to accommodate the particular work W on the bed 16. A tension spring 98 interconnecting the slide 80 and the frame 26 automatically restores the plate 72 to a relatively raised inoperative position when the edge finishing )s completed to allow automatic removal of the work. As a practical matter the plate 72 may remain down during stitching of many work pieces, tho/ugh on work towels having thicker edges, the plate 72 may be raised for clearance purposes at the fourth corner.

A mechanism for enabling successive labels L to be positioned and presented for securing to the margin of the work W as it is being finished will next be described largely with reference to FIGS. 4-7 inclusive. A back portion of the plate 72 is formed with an upstanding guide cam 100 extending adjacent to, and ahead of, the needle 18 and parallel with the rectilinear line of work feed. The cam 100 controls in part the heightwise position of a follower roll 102 carried by the piston rod 104 of a cylinder 106. This cylinder as shown in FIG. 4 has one end pivoted at 108 to a bracket 110 connected to the frame 26, the other end of the cylinder 106 being pivotally suspended from a pin 112 slidable within a longitudinal slot of a piston rod 114 of a cylinder 116. The cylinder 116 is itself pivotally carried at its upper end by an arm 118 affixed to the bracket 110. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the work-confining plate 72 is formed to provide, parallel with the cam 100, a horizontal label-receiving pocket 120, a ramp 122 inclined downwardly therefrom, and a lower release level 124 where the label, as indicated in FIG. 6, is partly on the work W and immediately above the feed dog mechanism 20. A leading edge of the label L is closely adjacent to the operating path of the needle 18 as shown in.

FIG. 6. After it has been manually placed in the pocket 120, usually just before starting an operating cycle, means is provided for automatically advancing each label L successively therefrom, down the ramp 122 and onto the release level 124. A bent finger 126 connected to the piston rod 104 is provided for cyclically presenting each label to theneedle and feed dog mechanism. As indicated in FIG. 7 the arrangement is such that fluid pressure admitted to the cylinders 106, 116 urges the roll 102 leftward along with the finger 126 causing the latter frictionally to engage and slide the label L down the ramp 122 and onto the level 124 whence the machine 10 advances the label beneath the needle to secure the label in aligned relation with the trimmed and finished margin. An operators hand supplying the labels is at no time endangered in reloading the pocket 120.

When the machine has rounded and finished four corners, and a time delay has automatically allowed for double sewing of a small marginal portion, a corner counting mechanism not herein shown but of the type described for instance in the aforesaid Kitchener et al application, is effective to actuate sewing-off" mechanism next to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, in response to the counting of a predetermined number of corners, such as four, a signal is given to admit pressure fluid to a stationary cylinder 130 having a piston rod 132 connected to the sew-off" sensor 38. As a consequence the sensor 38 is advanced from its edge gage position and relative to the edge sensor 36 as shown in FIG. 10 by an amount sufficient to cause the seam to run gradually off the edge of the finished work as shown in FIG. 8. The sensor 38 is thereafter automatically retracted to its edge gaging position.

A metal block (FIGS. 8, 13, and 14) is inserted into the bed 16 for cooperation with work kickout and thread cut-off mechanism next to be described. The kickout and thread cut-ofi mechanism is signaled to operate by actuation of the just-described sew-off mechanism. For this purpose a switch actuating roller 134 (FIG. 8) is engaged by a cam 136 secured on the rod 132. As indicated in FIG. 12 the work swinging finger 32 and perhaps the work spreading plate 72 have now been automatically raised from the completed work piece W. It is connected to the needle 18 by chain stitch thread T still being formed by the machine 10 and this thread must be severed prior to work removal. Secured to the frame 26 is in angular bracket 142 (FIGS. 1, l2, and 13) from which is pivotally suspended a dual-acting fluid pressure operated cylinder 144 having a reciprocable piston rod 146. The bracket 142 also supports a guideway portion 148 for a slide 150 reciprocable thereon. A knife blade 152 is secured to the lower end of a knife slide 154 vertically guided for reciprocation in the slide block 150, the knife slide 154 being connected to the piston rod 146 by a block 156. A latter is connected by a tension spring 158 to an upper end of the slide 150, and an arcuate card cloth foot 160, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, is integral with one arm of a lever'162 pivoted on a pin 164 fixed in the slide 150. The slide 150 has an car 166 (FIGS. 12 and 13) arranged, while the rod 146 is being moved downward, to abut a stop 168 on the bracket 142. Accordingly, the arrangement is such that when the stop 168 prevents further descent of the slide 150 under the influence of the spring 158, the foot has assumed its initial work engaging or dash-line position shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

For effecting tensioning of the work W and the thread T just prior to thread cut-off, operating linkage is provided as next explained. A lever 170 (FIGS. 12, 13) pivoted by a pin 172 to an extension 174 of the knife slide 154 has an end 176 urged downwardly by a tension spring 178. As the piston rod 146 moves the knife slide 154 and its extension downward, the lever 170 descends as a whole and its end 176 which is connected to the upper end of a link 180, moves the latter downward. This link 180 at its lower end has pin and slot connection with an arm of the lever 162 which accordingly is caused to rotate the foot 160 clockwise for frictionally urging the work W away from the needle 18. When the foot 160 has thus tensioned the work and the thread T, the plate 72 is momentarily actuated as a work clamp as is about to be described. The end 176 abuts a stop 182 integral with the slide 150, and the knife blade 152, which had been nearly down to the work margin so as to clear its finished edge, is thereby caused to descend further to sever the thread against the block 140. At this moment an end 184 of the extension 174 actuates a switch 186 as shown in FIG. 13. For

. gagement of the plate 72 with the work W immediately after kickout operation of the foot 160 and about at the operation of the knife 152. The plate 72 is thus especially helpful in preventing larger work pieces from falling prematurely from the machine.

An entire periphery of the work W is automatically finished by the machine after the initial manual work presentation in abutment with the sensor gages 36,38 and starting of the stitcher 10. it will be clear that three or more than four-sided work pieces can be processed if desired by suitably adjusting the setting of the corner counting means. As each corner approaches the needle 18, the lowered foot 34 and the finger 32 cooperate to rotate the work about the axis of the foot 34 serving as the center of corner curvature, the top plate 72 remaining at its lowered work-spreading position until the corner counting mechanism signals, after the preset number of corners and sew-off have transpired to pressurize the cylinder 144 for operating the thread cutting mechanism. Lastly the work kickout and thread severing mechanism operate as above described to release the work for removal from the machine as above described.

It will be apparent that the labels L supplied to the pocket 120 for securement may, if desired, be of the loop type to serve as holder or hanger means when their free ends are positioned for marginal securement by the machine 10.

Though not needed when processing small work pieces W such as face cloths, larger work pieces such as dish cloths or bath towels, for instance, may need to be given auxiliary support after the last comer has been turned and the kickout and thread cut-off are to be operated. For this purpose, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a work supporting or doffing lever 196 pivoted to the front end of a shaft 198 has an end portion 200 which in its upper position is level with the bed 16. The back end of the shaft 198 carries a sprocket 202 meshing with the chain 204 as shown in FIG. 4. To control the portion 200 heightwise, one end of the chain is connected through a spring 206 to a bracket 208, and the other chain end is coupled to a piston 210 of a stationary cylinder 212. The arrangement is such that fluid pressure admitted to the cylinder 212 moves the piston 210 to the right until a bolt 214 in the lever 196 engages a stop 216 and an actuating arm 218 of the piston contacts a switch 220 whereupon the cylinder exhausts to allow the lever 196 to pivot downwardly. While in upper position the portion 200 holds the completed work outspread horizontally to facilitate subsequent doffing and processing.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An automatic edge finishing machine for operating on sheet material comprising a work supporting bed, an operating tool, an edge gage on the bed ahead of the tool, means for rectilinearly feeding a work piece on the bed in marginal engagement with the gage and to and through the operating zone of the tool, means for turning a corner portion of the work including a turning center and swing finger for swinging the work piece, said corner turning means being rotatable about an axis and movable heightwise into and out of engagement with the work on the bed, and a comer sensing means responsive to the position of a marginal portion of the work ahead of the tool for controlling operating of the corner turning means.

2. A machine as in claim 1 having mechanism connected to the edge gage and operable to retract it from its edge gaging position in response to actuation of the corner sensing means to avoid interference with the work as it is rotated by the corner turning means.

3. A machine'as in claim 1 having said comer turning means continuously rotatable during operationof the tool, and a power means energizable by actuation of the sensor and connected to the comer turning means to move the turning center and swing finger simultaneously into engagement with the work.

4. A machine as in claim 1 having a work-spreading plate arcuately slotted to accommodate the swing finger, means mounting the plate for movement heightwise toward and from a predetermined operating position adjustably spaced relative to said bed, and mechanism responsive to operation of said finger a predetermined number of times to relatively separate the plate and bed preparatory to removal of the work therefrom.

5. A machine as in claim 4 wherein the edge finishing machine is an overedging stitcher, and a reciprocable knife is operative in response to operation of said swing finger a predetermined number of times to sever the thread connecting the work to the stitcher.

6. A machine as in claim 1 and further comprising mechanism for retracting said edge gage from its edge gaging position in the course of work comer turning to an out-of-the-way position in response to actuation by said corner sensing means.

7. A machine as in claim 1 wherein said tool is a reciprocable needle, said edge gage is comprised of two relatively movable portions normally aligned with the feed path of said rectilinear feed means, and mechanism for advancing one of said two gage portions from its edge gage position in response to operation of a corner counting mechanism to effect displacement of the work margin on the bed relative to the needle and hence sew-off.

8. A machine as in claim 1 and further comprising a work-spreading plate relatively spaceable above said bed to accommodate only a predetermined ply thickness of the work to be fed between the plate and the bed for progressive marginal contact with said edge gage, said work-spreading plate having a portion spaced from the operating path of the tool for receiving a lable to be attached thereby to the work, and mechanism cooperative with the work-spreading plate and frictionally engagcable with a label on the pocket portion to advance the label into the operating zone of said tool.

9. A machine as in claim 1 further comprising a sewoff mechanism automatically responsive to the finishing of a predetermined number of corners of thework, and a thread cut-off means responsive to operation of the sew-off mechanism to free the work piece for removal from the bed and the tool.

10. In an overedging machine having stitch forming means, a bed, edge trimming means, and feed dog mechanism for rectilinearly advancing a work piece on the bed to and through the operating zone of the stitch forming and the trimming means, an edge gage movable on the bed from its gaging position, means for turning a work piece comer and engageable with the work on the bed, a corner sensing means for controlling the corner turning means and automatically operable after sensing a predetermined number of work piece corners for causing movement of the edge gage to effect sew-off, and work kickout mechanism including chain stitch thread severing means, the kickout mechanism being operable in response to actuation of the edge gage causing the sew-off whereby said thread is tensioned between the work piece and the stitch forming means for cutting by said severing means.

11. A machine as in claim 10 further comprising a work-spreading plate mounted for relative heightwise movement with respect to the bed, and control means operatively connecting the corner sensing means to said plate for causing it to clamp the work on the bed during operation of said severing means.

12. In a sewing machine having a bed, stitch forming instrumentalities including a needle, and work feeding mechanism for advancing the margin of a work piece on the bed and through the operating zone of said instrumentalities, a work-spreading plate overlying the bed and having a projecting portion ahead of the needle and adjacent to an exposed portion of the work feeding mechanism, a label receiving pocket formed on the plate ahead of the needle for aligning a label with a work piece margin, corner turning mechanism for rotating a work piece portion, and mechanism responsive to operation of said comer turning mechanism for advancing a label from the pocket and partly onto the plate projection and partly onto the work feed mechanism.

13. Guidance mechanism for enabling an operating tool of a machine to operate progressively on the margins of flexible sheet material, said mechanism comprising a work supporting bed, work feeding mechanism, an edge gage ahead of the tool and against which the edge of a piece of sheet material on the bed can progressively abut, means for sensing change in edge contour of the sheet material ahead of the tool as the material is fed, and mechanism operable in response to actuation of the sensing means for causing rotation of the sheet material whereby the operating path of the tool thereon is of constant convex curvature,'the sheet material rotating mechanism including a clamp engageable with the material at the center of the convex curvature while the sensing means senses change in edge contour of the material and a work engaging member rotatable simultaneously with the clamp about said center.

l4. Guidance mechanism as in claim 13 wherein the machine is an overedger and the tool is a reciprocable needle, and further characterized by the provision of a combination work kickofi and thread severing mechanism operable automatically after said sensing means has been actuated a predetermined number of times to enable the sheet material to be freely removed from the needle and said bed.

=0 l i i i 

1. An automatic edge finishing machine for operating on sheet material comprising a work supporting bed, an operating tool, an edge gage on the bed ahead of the tool, means for rectilinearly feeding a work piece on the bed in marginal engagement with the gage and to and through the operating zone of the tool, means for turning a corner portion of the work including a turning center and swing finger for swinging the work piece, said corner turning means being rotatable about an axis and movable heightwise into and out of engagement with the work on the bed, and a corner sensing means responsive to the position of a marginal portion of the work ahead of the tool for controlling operating of the corner turning means.
 2. A machine as in claim 1 having mechanism connected to the edge gage and operable to retract it from its edge gaging position in response to actuation of the corner sensing means to avoid interference with the work as it is rotated by the corner turning means.
 3. A machine as in claim 1 having said corner turning means continuously rotatable during operation of the tool, and a power means energizable by actuation of the sensor and connected to the corner turning means to move the turning center and swing finger simultaneously into engagement with the work.
 4. A machine as in claim 1 having a work-spreading plate arcuately slotted to accommodate the swing finger, means mounting the plate for movement heightwise toward and from a predetermined operating position adjustably spaced relative to said bed, and mechanism responsive to operation of said finger a predetermined number of times to relatively separate the plate and bed preparatory to removal of the work therefrom.
 5. A machine as in claim 4 wherein the edge finishing machine is an overedging stitcher, and a reciprocable knife is operative in response to operation of said swing finger a predetermined number of times to sever the thread connecting the work to the stitcher.
 6. A machine as in claim 1 and further comprising mechanism for retracting said edge gage from its edge gaging position in the course of work corner turning to an out-of-the-way position in response to actuation by said corner sensing means.
 7. A machine as in claim 1 wherein said tool is a reciprocable needle, said edge gage is comprised of two relatively movable portions normally aligned with the feed path of said rectilinear feed means, and mechanism for advancing one of said two gage portions from its edge gage position in response to operation of a corner counting mechanism to effect displacement of the work margin on the bed relative to the needle and hence sew-off.
 8. A machine as in claim 1 and further comprising a work-spreading plate relatively spaceable above said bed to accommodate only a predetermined ply thickness of the work to be fed between the plate and the bed for progressive marginal contact with said edge gage, said work-spreading plate having a portion spaced from the operating path of the tool for receiving a lable to be attached thereby to the work, and mechanism cooperative with the work-spreading plate and frictionally engageable with a label on the pocket portion to advance the label into the operating zone of said tool.
 9. A machine as in claim 1 further comprising a sew-off mechanism automatically responsive to the finishing of a predetermined number of corners of the work, and a thread cut-off means responsive to operation of the sew-off mechanism to free the work piece for removal from the bed and the tool.
 10. In an overedging machine having stitch forming means, a bed, edge trimming means, and feed dog mechanism for rectilinearly advancing a work piece on the bed to and through the operating zone of the stitch forming and the trimming means, an edge gage movable on the bed from its gaging position, means for turning a work piece corner and engageable with the work on the bed, a corner sensing means for controlling the corner turning means and automatically operable after sensing a predetermined number of work piece corners for causing movement of the edge gage to effect sew-off, and work kickout mechanism including chain stitch thread severing means, the kickout mechanism being operable in response to actuation of the edge gage causing the sew-off whereby said thread is tensioned between the work piece and the stitch forming means for cutting by said severing means.
 11. A machine as in claim 10 further comprising a work-spreading plate mounted for relative heightwise movement with respect to the bed, and control means operatively connecting the corner sensing means to said plate for causing it to clamp the work on the bed during operation of said severing means.
 12. In a sewing machine having a bed, stitch forming instrumentalities including a needle, and work feeding mechanism for advancing the margin of a work piece on the bed and through the operating zone of said instrumentalities, a work-spreading plate overlying the bed and having a projecting portion ahead of the needle and adjacent to an exposed portion of the work feeding mechanism, a label receiving pocket formed on the plate ahead of the needle for aligning a label with a work piece margin, corner turning mechanism for rotating a work piece portion, and mechanism responsive to operation of said corner turning mechanism for advancing a label from the pocket and partly onto the plate projection and partly onto the work feed mechanism.
 13. Guidance mechanism for enabling an operating tool of a machine to operate progressively on the margins of flexible sheet material, said mechanism comprising a work supporting bed, work feeding mechanism, an edge gage ahead of the tool and against which the edge of a piece of sheet material on the bed can progressively abut, means for sensing change in edge contour of the sheet material ahead of the tool as the material is fed, and mechanism operable in response to actuation of the sensing means for causing rotation of the sheet material whereby the operating path of the tool thereon is of constant convex curvature, the sheet material rotating mechanism including a clamp engageable with the material at the center of the convex curvature while the sensing means senses change in edge contour of the material and a work engaging member rotatable simultaneously with the clamp about said center.
 14. Guidance mechanism as in claim 13 wherein the machine is an overedGer and the tool is a reciprocable needle, and further characterized by the provision of a combination work kickoff and thread severing mechanism operable automatically after said sensing means has been actuated a predetermined number of times to enable the sheet material to be freely removed from the needle and said bed. 